Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Greg Thompson on June 3, 2015 at 12:20pm

I try to play every day. I listen to all kinds of music and watch others as often as I can.
I started building CBGs last August and have been working out how to play since.
I have to say that I have improved. Even my wife likes what she hears.
At first, I was really awful but gradually it is coming. I'm not good by any shakes, but at least it sounds like music, now.
Great responses, eyes and ears are still open...

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on June 3, 2015 at 2:13pm

Greg, I think the best advice so far is to play, play, play. Still, at some point, a little guidance in playing technique will be beneficial for just about anyone.

I have found a lot of stuff on slide play and now would like to get better at fingering notes. I need to spend more time playing scales just to get muscle memory improved.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on June 4, 2015 at 1:12am

Play to an audience.  That'll up your game pretty quick.  Speak/sing and play in front of people whether busking or open mic.  Both are challenging in different ways.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 4, 2015 at 1:58am

When you do it a lot and learn to enjoy it, then you will have attained the first rung on the Ladder of Entertainment...

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on June 4, 2015 at 3:38am

Ron, I can't think of any response to your ladder of entertainment analogy that does not include the word "grasshopper".

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on June 6, 2015 at 12:01am

I'm still reaching for that first rung.  I think I got my fingertips on it at the last open mic.  With only 7 performances under my belt, I'm ready to lose grasp anytime I get too full of myself.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on June 4, 2015 at 2:32am

There's no doubt that public performance will push you to play well. Getting up the nerve to jump in (up?) is another thing altogether. It's on my list............at some point.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 4, 2015 at 3:12am

Start playing to one person who loves you. Who really loves you as you are. Family members typically fill the bill. Do that for a few weeks / months. Once they like what you're doing, they will start talking. Play for people who build you up. Not false positivists, but honest appreciators. This may take a year or more. Choose a few musically-knowledgeable friends to listen to your stuff. At that point start asking for honest critique. Restrict this group to 3-5 people. This may take months / years. Then play out. Do it cold. This will be necessary to offset a bit of the relentless, well-intentioned positivity. It is from this point that you will grow as a performer, and learn to accept criticism, honest and otherwise. Always strive to remember, you are trying to transmit emotion.

Trust me, no one except 2-3 technicians in the audience will care how ripping your solos are. I was told very recently ( that last video I put up) by a dear friend of mine who I trust, that my songs didn't resonate emotionally with him. He was right. Others were impressed with the playing, originality, composition, whatever. Their comments buoyed me through the other criticism, but I think my bud was right. It's kinda like the conceit CBGers share about being 'authentic' or 'real' ( a common navel-gaze for the 50's and early 60's folkies): unless you were born a poor black child, who can only afford a cigar box and a broomstick, then authenticity just ain't there.

Which then brings me to "heart." Try to play what you feel. If you feel pissed off, play it. If you're ecstatic, play it. If you've lost your job, had your heart broke, been majorly disappointed - play that.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on June 4, 2015 at 3:35am

Thanks, Oily. You put a lot of effort and thought in to your posting and I appreciate it. I'm enjoying playing, but still often find two doors closed between me and that loved one. There is still much, much to learn and I'm trying to avoid flitting from one technique to another without actually getting proficient at any. I think I could spend the next year just working on different slide techniques that I've seen. It's a fun journey and a lot better than whatever is on cable every evening.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on June 6, 2015 at 12:02am

I remember the first time my wife said, "Hey, I almost like that."  She's witty.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on June 5, 2015 at 11:14pm

think about going and seeing an actual guitar teacher for a few months.  He can help you in  ways that no DVD or book or youtube can.  It doesn't matter if he's never seen a 3 string cigar box guitar, if he's half a player he'll get it straight away.  You might be able to swap a month or twos lessons for a build  You also might consider a banjo or mandolin or steel/dobro teacher depending what it is you want to play.

the best

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on June 6, 2015 at 2:57am

another thing you might consider:   find some other people (who are better than you are) to play with / join a group etc.

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